The Oyo State Government has assured workers in the state of payment of the 13th month salary for the fifth year running, to be received before December 31, despite the earlier payment of the December 2023 salary and the December wage award of N25, 000 to workers and N15, 000 to pensioners.
Governor Makinde made the declaration, on Sunday, while speaking at the Oyo State’s 2023 Christmas Carol Service and Nine Lessons Service, held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, with the theme: “Unto us a Child is Born”.
The governor maintained that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers, infrastructure development and other critical sectors in the state, noting that whatever success his government has achieved was due to the contributions of all members of his team and the civil servants.
Makinde gave thanks to God for his re-election, reiterating that his victory in the election was not due to godfatherism but because of his absolute trust in God the Father, appreciating the fathers of the faith for their prayers and support towards his re-election.
He said: “I also want to use this opportunity to thank our fathers of faith in the state. When you came to meet me, I told you I didn’t need a second tenure but you said to me that there is a need for us to complete the projects we started and I listened to you. And you also worked very hard to actualise the re-election. For this, I appreciate you all.
“Let me use this opportunity to also thank our military men and women, the Police and Service Commanders, because it has been a challenging year for this country and you have been trying your best even with the little resources available to you. Thank you for keeping us safe in the state even at this Christmas/New Year period,” Makinde stated.
He noted that based on the vision from one of the clerics that the Government House Mosque and Government House Chapel should be given attention, the government would work on them immediately after the festivities, disclosing that apart from the renovation of the worship centers, the Government House would be given a makeover by his government.
The governor, who observed that the closing year presented a lot of challenges, including the removal of fuel subsidies and floating of exchange rates, among others, prayed for a stable economy in 2024, while leading the congregants to observe a minute silence for the repose of the soul of one of the fathers of the faith in Oyo State, Prophet Michael Olowere, who passed away in the year.
Makinde revealed that in line with his mantra of leaving no zone behind in terms of development, he would mark his birthday/Christmas at the Fashola Farms, which had been upgraded into an Agribusiness Industrial Hub.
Earlier in his exhortation, the Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Ali Aba, acknowledged the unprecedented achievements recorded in the state under Governor Makinde.
He noted that Makinde is a progressive name and that his re-election into office came at a time when the state needed him the most, saying Governor Makinde sharing the same birthday with Jesus Christ is symbolic.
Ali Aba also called for continuous support and cooperation for the Makinde-led administration to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
The event featured special prayers for Governor Makinde and his family, the Oyo State House of Assembly, Civil/Public Servants, traditional rulers and the whole state.
The carol service was attended by top government functionaries, and traditional and religious leaders, among others.
Dominica Nwabufo
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